Healthcare (Public Health)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 8, 2026

S 1624: An Act relative to personal health information portability and accessibility

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1624) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to personal health information portability and accessibility. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enhances patient access to health records through portability and accessibility measures, directly aligning with support indicators for improved healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 30, 2026

H 2414: An Act relative to patient assessment and notification prior to prescribing certain medications

HD 1252 requires doctors to discuss risks and obtain written consent before first-time prescriptions of benzodiazepines (like Xanax) or non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (like Ambien). Doctors must evaluate patient history, discuss alternatives, and explain risks of addiction, overdose, and long-term use in plain language. This applies to all patients, with parents or guardians involved for minors. The law updates existing opioid prescription rules but centers new requirements specifically on sedative medications like benzos and hypnotics.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires patient assessment/notification before prescribing certain meds, enhancing patient safety and rights in healthcare delivery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 27, 2026

H 4340: An Act relative to telehealth parity for nutrition counseling

H 4340 requires health insurance plans and providers to pay the same rate for telehealth nutrition counseling as they do for in-person sessions. It specifically applies to licensed dietitians/nutritionists providing medical nutrition therapy (nutrition care for disease prevention, management, or treatment) via video or phone calls. The bill mandates equal reimbursement rates for telehealth services under most health insurance policies, including employer plans and hospital service corporations, ensuring providers aren’t penalized for offering virtual care. This directly affects dietitians/nutritionists and insurers covering these services in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance reimbursement for telehealth nutrition counseling, improving patient access to medical nutrition therapy services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health Telehealth

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 1484: An Act to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1484) of Joanne M. Comerford, Mark C. Montigny, Danillo A. Sena, Paul K. Frost and other members of the General Court for legislation to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directly targets public health initiative to reduce pancreatic cancer deaths, advancing healthcare prevention and access through legislative action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1578: An Act measuring the impact of Long COVID in the Commonwealth

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1578) of Liz Miranda for legislation to create an evidence-based culturally-specific patient navigation pilot program for people living with a Long COVID diagnosis. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates a culturally-specific patient navigation pilot program for Long COVID patients under Public Health, improving healthcare access and addressing a specific health condition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2457: An Act relative to fentanyl testing

This bill requires general acute care hospitals in Massachusetts to include fentanyl testing in standard urine drug screenings when treating patients for diagnosis. It directly affects hospitals that conduct such screenings, mandating they test for fentanyl alongside other drugs like opioids and cocaine. The key provision specifies that "urine drug screening" must now include fentanyl, with the Department of Public Health authorized to create necessary regulations for implementation. This policy change aims to improve detection of fentanyl exposure in medical settings without altering existing screening protocols for other substances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires fentanyl testing in hospital urine screenings under Public Health, enhancing opioid crisis response and patient safety protocols in healthcare settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2502: An Act to clarify prescription monitoring program activities

HD 2220 requires the state's prescription monitoring program to exclude testosterone from its tracking system and delete all existing data on testosterone prescriptions. This means healthcare providers no longer need to report testosterone prescriptions to the program, and historical records of such prescriptions will be removed immediately upon the bill's passage. The bill directly affects prescribers (like doctors) and pharmacies that handle testosterone, which is commonly used for hormone therapy. The change applies specifically to testosterone, not other medications, and takes effect right away without requiring additional approval.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies prescription monitoring programs to strengthen public health initiatives against drug abuse, aligning with healthcare support indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2509: An Act relative to the availability of prescription medication during an emergency

HD 2609 requires Massachusetts to create a statewide plan ensuring prescription medication access during a governor-declared emergency. The plan mandates early refills when patients have less than 10 days' supply left (with pharmacist prescriber confirmation), grants medication delivery vehicles equal road access as emergency vehicles, and coordinates pharmaceutical industry stakeholders to avoid supply chain duplication. It also establishes a safety net with a toll-free hotline and website to help residents locate medications if local supplies run out. This bill directly affects patients relying on prescriptions during crises, pharmacies, and emergency response systems. The plan becomes active during declared emergencies under state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures prescription medication availability during emergencies, directly improving patient access to critical healthcare services under Public Health jurisdiction.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1504: An Act to protect Massachusetts public health from PFAS

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1504) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, James B. Eldridge, John F. Keenan and others for legislation to protect Massachusetts public health from Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) a group of chemicals that are used in many consumer products and industrial processes. Public Health.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill targets PFAS chemicals linked to environmental contamination and public health risks, directly advancing pollution control and environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly targets PFAS exposure to protect public health, advancing healthcare protection initiatives through environmental safety measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 2, 2025

S 1501: An Act to update postural screenings in schools

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1501) of Julian Cyr and Michael O. Moore for legislation to update postural screenings in schools. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates school postural screenings as a public health preventive measure, advancing healthcare access and early intervention services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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